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Scottish Football: Celtic trio on shortlist for SPFA awards

Celtic's Kris Commons, Fraser Forster and Virgil van Dijk nominated for SPFA Player of the Year awards.

Last Updated: 17/04/14 8:32pm

Commons and van Dijk among SPFA nominations

And the Celtic trio are joined on the four-man shortlist by Kris Boyd, who is enjoying a new lease of life back at first club Kilmarnock.

Former Scotland star Commons has been a stand-out for the champions this season, scoring 23 goals from midfield, four more than Boyd who has rediscovered his scoring touch after a period in the wilderness with Turkish club Eskisehirspor and Portland Timbers in the States.

Forster, who set a new Scottish record of 1,215 minutes without conceding a goal - a 13-match run between November and February - has, along with Dutchman van Dijk, been part of the meanest defence in British football, conceding just 16 goals in 33 games this season.

Celtic midfielder Commons revealed he voted for Boyd, as he was unable to nominate any of his team-mates.

Commons said: "I voted for Boydy. With his goals in a team which is struggling in the league I think he's done exceptional.

"And we all know what a good goalscorer he is, so he got my vote this year."

Commons was delighted to be among the contenders with Foster and van Dijk after no Celtic players made the short-list last season.

And the 30-year-old confirmed the topic had been raised in the Celtic dressing room again following the release of this year's list.

"Obviously there was a bit of talk from last year when none of the Celtic players were nominated for the Player of the Year award, so to have three this time was a bit of a wind up," Commons added.

"But it's good. We're looking forward to the night and hopefully one of us will be taking it home."

Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Gauld and Andrew Robertson of Dundee United are joined on the Young Player of the Year shortlist by Stevie May of Scottish Cup final opponents St Johnstone.

PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart said: "This is the top award for players. There is no greater honour in football than to be voted the best player in your country by your fellow professionals."

Andy Deller, managing director for Cheque Centre who sponsor the awards, said: "We are delighted to be involved in what is surely the football night of the year. It is an honour for the players to be nominated by their fellow professionals and we are proud to play a part in proceedings."

The winners will be announced at presentation ceremony in Glasgow's Hilton Hotel on Sunday, April 27.